India, the finalists at the most recent edition of the Cricket World Cup and winners of last year's Twenty20 World Cup, will look to make an impact in the Champions Trophy from the word go, by getting one over Bangladesh in their tournament starter.
The side are no strangers to success in the global event, having previously secured title wins in 2002 (co-winners with Sri Lanka), and 2013.
But this time around, Rohit Sharma’s side will be without their finest bowling asset, Jasprit Bumrah, and have banked on a spin-heavy setup to get the job done for them in the tournament.
Their opponents first-up are also good exponents of spin, and have the capacity to dish out a surprise in big events.
The Tigers will take inspiration from the 2007 heroics against India, and will back their experienced players to come good Thursday.
Squads:
Bangladesh: Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed Tazim, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana.
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Lokesh Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Recent form:
Bangladesh: Reading the form is not as straightforward with the Tigers. The national side has not played any cricket since December, when they toured the West Indies. Bangladesh were comprehensively beaten in the three-match ODI series with the Windies, losing 3-0. They saved face somewhat by claiming all three T20 Internationals in the Caribbean that followed the ODI cricket. In November, before they toured the West Indies, Bangladesh went down 2-1 to Afghanistan in an ODI series in the United Arab Emirates.
India: The tournament fancies enter the Champions Trophy in fine touch, after a wildly successful recent white-ball run against England. Hosts India clean-swept the visitors 3-0 in the One Day International series that recently ended. Before that, India handled England comfortably in the pair’s five-game T20I series, winning 4-1. Those seven wins, all in the last month, should amount to a confident feeling inside the squad.
Players in focus:
Bangladesh: Mehedi Hasan Miraz
The 27-year old all-rounder is at the peak of his powers and will need to deliver in all departments for the Tigers to make a dent at the Champions Trophy. From the aforementioned West Indies tour in December, Miraz smoked 152 runs across three ODIs with an average of 50.66, striking at 84.91. He also claimed eight combined wickets across the T20I series in the Caribbean.
India: Arshdeep Singh
With Bumrah unavailable for India, there will be added spotlight on the team’s bowling attack. But heading into the tournament, there’s optimism 26-year old left-armer Arshdeep can handle new ball duties and potentially step into the incredibly large shoes left by Jasprit, who is recovering from a back injury. From winning the 2018 Under-19 World Cup to starring for India in the 2022 T20 World Cup, the up-and-coming pace sensation has always looked destined for big things, according to his coach and teammates.